A cornerback with a knack for finding the ball, Caleb Mitchell
has the potential to be among the top defensive players in the Ohio
Valley Conference if he can stay healthy...injuries forced him to
redshirt as a true freshman, and cost him four games last
year...comes into the 2011 season as the returning starter at the
field corner...made the move from free safety in 2010 spring drills
and showed a thorough understanding of his new position last
season...the biggest of Tech's cornerbacks, he's an extremely
physical player and a very good tackler...has good speed and good
hands...excellent toughness...might have developed into an MVP
caliber player in his true freshman season in 2008, but an injury
in the second game changed his course...granted medical redshirt
status after a knee injury...can also return punts...has good ball
skills...will figure prominently in Tech's "nickel" package...good
pass defender and also strong providing support in run
coverage...has made 102 tackles in his two-plus seasons...listed on
the Athletic Director's Honor Roll three of his six semesters.

AT TECH (In 2010): Started six games and played
in seven, but missed four games due to injuries as a junior...when
he was on the field, he was one of the defensive leaders...despite
missing four contests he still finished 10th on the team with 31
total tackles...had a sensational game in Tech's win over Eastern
Illinois, making a season-high seven tackles, two interceptions
(returning one for a touchdown) and forced a fumble...had six stops
against UT Martin and Austin Peay.

(In 2009): Started all 11 games at free safety
as a redshirt freshman and ranked second on the team in total
tackles with 63...finished with 4.5 tackles-for-loss and two
quarterback sacks...broke up five passes and had two
interceptions...led the team with three fumbles forced and two
fumbles recovered....established career-high with 12 tackles in
Tech's win at UT Martin...raised that three weeks later with 13
stops in a win over Tennessee State...also had two sacks, caused
and recovered a fumble, and intercepted a pass in the victory over
the Tigers that clinched the Sgt. York trophy...his other
interception came at Eastern Illinois.

(In 2008): Caleb was off to a great start to his career
before an injury in the second game of the season sidelined him for
the balance of the schedule...came off the bench in the season
opener and had five tackles and one kickoff return in the victory
over Gardner-Webb...made three solo tackles and broke up a Cardinal
pass attempt at Louisville before suffering the season-ending knee
injury...received medical redshirt status.

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year starter for coaches
Doug Goodwin and Perry Swindal at Russellville High School...also
earned three letters in basketball and four in baseball...a team
captain, he won the Best Defensive Back and Best Receiver awards
for the Tigers....all-county and all-area, he was honorable mention
all-state and selected to play in Alabama All-Star game...finished
his career with 47 catches for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns...on
defense he had 102 total tackles and 11 interceptions...helped the
team to a three-year combined mark of 34-5.

PERSONAL: The son of John and Suzanne
Mitchell...birthdate is December 21, 1989...full name is John Caleb
Mitchell...majoring in business.